More than 15,000 drivers have been fined for illegally driving through a bus station.

Medway Council has collected more than £455,000 in fines from people driving through Chatham Waterfront bus station since 2015.

The bus station, which is owned by Medway Council, is exclusively for buses and taxis to help reduce congestion.

Video: the cost of fines at Chatham bus station

Arriva believes the cars cutting through could increase bus delays.

Area manager for Arriva Buses in Kent and Sussex, Oliver Monahan, said: "I'm shocked it's happening in that location, but pleased Medway Council is implementing fines against it.

"But I'm not surprised because this has been happening in a lot of our urban areas due to congestion.

"Congestion is our biggest problem and causes a lot of delays.

"Cars cutting through make bus travel unattractive.

"People are used to experienced bus drivers and fast cars could cause an accident."

Portfolio Holder for Frontline Services covering public transport, Cllr Phil Filmer, said: “Thousands of pedestrians use Chatham Waterfront bus station each week and for their safety, public motorists are restricted from using the bus station as a cut through.

"This also helps reduce congestion and improve journey times for bus users.

"The only vehicles legally able to use the bus station are buses, licensed taxis, emergency vehicles and motorists who require access to their properties.

"Motorists who ignore the signage, advising of the road restrictions, will be picked up by the automatic number plate recognition cameras and will be fined £60.

"The income from the fines is used to help maintain the roads across Medway.”